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| MDR Rundfunkchor | |
|---|---|
| Name | MDR Rundfunkchor |
| Background | classical_ensemble |
| Origin | Leipzig, Saxony |
| Genre | Choral music |
| Years active | 1946–present |
| Affiliated organization | Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk |
MDR Rundfunkchor is a professional radio choir based in Leipzig, Saxony, affiliated with Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. The ensemble performs a broad choral repertory ranging from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary music and maintains an active recording and touring schedule. The choir is known for collaborations with major orchestras, conductors, composers, broadcasters, and festivals across Europe and worldwide.
The choir was founded in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, emerging in the cultural landscape alongside institutions such as Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester connections, St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, Leipzig Opera, and the rebuilding efforts that included figures from Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden circles. In the Cold War era the ensemble operated under East German broadcasting structures including links to Deutsche Demokratische Republik cultural policy and worked with state broadcasters like DDR-Rundfunk, later integrating into the post-reunification network of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, aligning with media reforms associated with the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany period. The choir's development paralleled pivotal German musical institutions such as Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and festivals like the Dresden Music Festival and Merseburger Domkonzerte. Over decades the ensemble premiered works by composers connected to Hanns Eisler, Paul Dessau, Günter Raphael, and later figures like Paul Hindemith interpreters and contemporary composers represented at Donaueschingen Music Festival and Wien Modern.
The choir's repertoire spans Renaissance composers including Orlando di Lasso, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Baroque works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Friedrich Händel, and Heinrich Schütz, Classical and Romantic staples such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, and Hector Berlioz, as well as 20th-century repertoire by Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Bruckner. Contemporary commissions and premieres have involved composers like Krzysztof Penderecki, Wolfgang Rihm, György Ligeti, Arvo Pärt, Hans Werner Henze, Helmut Lachenmann, and Enno Poppe. The choir's discography includes recordings of major choral cycles and oratorios with orchestras such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and ensembles like Thomanerchor collaborations; notable projects encompassed works by Bach Mass in B minor, Beethoven Ninth Symphony, Mahler Symphonies No. 2 and No. 8, and choral song cycles of Hugo Wolf. Their recordings have appeared on labels associated with European broadcasters and commercial companies known for classical catalogs such as those that publish Deutsche Grammophon, Decca Records, Harmonia Mundi, and regional labels connected to European Broadcasting Union archives.
Artistic leadership has included chief conductors and choral directors who also worked with institutions like Gewandhausorchester, Dresdner Philharmonie, and opera houses such as Semperoper Dresden. Leaders have collaborated with guest conductors drawn from figures associated with Karajan-era orchestras, conductors linked to Sir Simon Rattle, Riccardo Muti, Christian Thielemann, Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Daniel Barenboim, and historically informed practitioners connected to Philippe Herreweghe and John Eliot Gardiner. The choir's internal administration has interfaced with arts managers, chorus masters, répétiteurs, and vocal coaches from conservatories including Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and Royal College of Music. Programming decisions often reflect consultations with dramaturges active at festivals like Salzburger Festspiele and advisory boards involving representatives from European Broadcasting Union member houses.
The ensemble has toured extensively, performing in venues and festivals such as Royal Albert Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, La Scala, Opéra Bastille, Vienna Musikverein, Elbphilharmonie, Ateneo de Madrid, and stages of the BBC Proms. Collaborations include partnerships with orchestras like the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Berlin Philharmonic, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Staatskapelle Weimar, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, and chamber ensembles linked to the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. The choir has worked with contemporary ensembles at events such as Takefu International Music Festival, ISCM World Music Days, and exchange projects with broadcasters including BBC Radio 3, France Musique, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, ORF, and Radio France. Tours have extended to North America, Asia, and Australia with stops at cultural institutions like Sydney Opera House and festivals such as Edinburgh International Festival.
The choir has received national and international accolades including prizes associated with institutions like Gramophone Awards, Echo Klassik, Diapason d'Or, and festival jury recognitions at Donaueschingen Music Festival. Broadcast awards have honored recordings on platforms connected to European Broadcasting Union competitions and state cultural prizes from Saxony and Thuringia, reflecting support from cultural ministries including those linked historically to Ministerium für Kultur der DDR and contemporary regional ministries. Critical recognition has come from publications and juries associated with The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, and specialist outlets such as BBC Music Magazine.
The choir is administratively part of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, interacting with departments that handle programming, production, and international relations and coordinating with legal and human resources teams that manage contracts and artist engagements. Funding sources include public broadcasting fees administered via German broadcasting law structures and regional funding mechanisms involving Saxon cultural bodies, municipal partners in Leipzig, project grants from foundations such as Kulturstiftung des Bundes and European cultural funds like those tied to the Creative Europe programme. Additional income streams derive from ticket sales, recording royalties negotiated with labels such as Deutsche Grammophon and concert promoters including Live Nation-style organizers and festival partnerships. Governance involves supervisory boards and artistic advisory committees that liaise with broadcasters, cultural ministries, conservatories, and international partners.
Category:German choirs Category:Musical groups established in 1946